Ghosty

Camk quote: Anti BMW bias is amazing , truthfully how many of the detractors have actually owned one, that for me would be an interesting survey.


I've owned one, as I said, but not the 328 variant. Excellent build quality, enjoyable handling and generally a good option. The thread originator asked for opinions from people who had experience of any of the two cars, apologies that my ATR preference seems to have fired you up!

[Edited by Ghosty - 10/2/2003 6:55:17 PM]

scoobysnacks

Anybody got any experience of either of these cars (BMW circa 1998 model) and can offer any opinions? Which is the better car from a performance and handling point of view? Thanks for any replies.

Blackscooby

I've got a 1998 E36 328i Coupe (none sport). Can't comment about the Accord Type R, but the 2.8 straight 6 is a fantastic engine. Loads of torque if you can't be bothered, but then screams nicely in a way that only a straight 6 can if you wanna have some fun. Bit of a heavy car so when you throw it around you know about it.

Avgs about 26/27 MPG so not bad.

Certainly well built. Not too keen on the wet weather ability but thats somewhat due to running 235/40/17 slicks

Bobby Peru

Have owned both, like chalk and cheese. Would be able to get a newer Type R foer the money as have seen some as low a 7k now. BMW is a lovely car, silky smooth torquey straight 6, sounds nice, well balanced RWD chassis, economical for what it is.
Type R is about the best FWD chassis about. Not bad on MPG but need to run on SUL, interior not too nice. Take it over 5500rpm and you will have a huge smile on your face. Sounds simply amazing, goes balistic in the VTEC band. Main downside is that there is no torque, as a result (and due to THAT noise) you end up caning it everywhere. It may be fun but it means that by the time the VTEC kicks in, you are doing crazy speeds in 30 zones. That is why I got rid of mine, better to keep your license in the long run.
If you have good right foot control, get the Type R as it is crackking good fun, otherwise any large engined 3 series will always be a good bet, just try to buy a 'SPORT' model as they are better handlers.

ADL-ATR

Yes once the art of taking the typr-r up to the limiter and then onto the next gear is master. seemless vtec. Quite good fun, had mine for 5 months now and am looking to maybe replace it. The ride is amasing, esp when wet the chassis is class!!!

bing-bonger

I don't know about the BMW also I'm not a huge beema fan, but I've just bought a Accord Type and would highly reccomend one.....I have to agree with the above comments tho

"Type R is about the best FWD chassis about. Not bad on MPG but need to run on SUL, interior not too nice. Take it over 5500rpm and you will have a huge smile on your face. Sounds simply amazing, goes balistic in the VTEC band. Main downside is that there is no torque, as a result (and due to THAT noise) you end up caning it everywhere."

Just my 2p's worth!!!

Skittles

Dunno about the Accord. I had a 328 sport and I loved the car and can highly recommend it!

If you get one, make sure it is post P reg as they were facelifted and got more toys... e.g. auto dimming morror/third brake light etc..

Also try and get one with the LUX pack - full leather/computer etc etc

It is a great looking car (IMHO), as long as you get a Sport model.

Plantie

I can only comment on the ATR. The best saloon car I have ever driven in anger round a track.

Absoloutley awesome!

Bad point - driving position... too high up.

Blackscooby

Slightly off topic... whats the diff between the regular Coupe & the Coupe sport ?

Certainly wouldn't want it any stiffer suspension wise as it ride like a brick anyway.

DAYZEE

The sport has an LSD. There were cosmetics aswell, M3 skirts, different bumper, bigger wheels.....

mrklaw

I can recommend a 3-series, and I happen to be selling a 323 at the moment

Pie_n_Chips

The Accord wins both catagories hands down.

One's a touring car for the road and one used to be every sales reps wet dream

Cosworth427

================================================== ==============
The Accord wins both catagories hands down.

One's a touring car for the road and one used to be every sales reps wet dream
================================================== ==============

Not really.

Bobby Peru

Not really is right.
Accord will put more of a smile on your face but the BMW is such a complete car, comfortable when you want and sporty when you are in the mood. Make no mistake that overall the BMW is a FAR superior car, ignore the anti-BMW bias on here and drive both.

Blackscooby

Bugger I didn't know it had an LSD. Bought the wrong bloody one !

MooseRacer

Accord is the more sporting drive. Whether the BMW's strengths make it 'far superior' is dependant on what you want from a car.

si325i

wouldn't of thought the honda was a patch on the BMW. fwd for a kick off. i won't go on. 2pence from me

Si.

Muffleman

Hi,

I'm NOT a bmw man, but I would say that the bmw is better than the Accord.
The problem with the Accord is that it's neither here nor there.
I bought an ITR, which was quite simply fantastic. But with the Accord, they tried to take the ethos of the ITR and civilize it a bit. Didn't work in my opinion. You either want a car like the ITR or you don't.

The bmw, in this case, would be a better bet in my opinion.

All the best

Matt

Bobby Peru

Like I said, I have owned both so can qualify what I said.

MooseRacer

Go ahead and qualify then the original poster asked about performance and handling - the ATR is quicker, and handles superbly. A 328 is quick'ish and also handles probably even more superbly. Call it a draw then :P


Go past these 2 criteria and it's difficult to compare the 2 as the Accord is designed to be a much rawer car.

Ghosty

And there I was just fresh from an Accord test drive noting how 'refined' it felt - compared to my Integra Type R of course!

Its a really difficult choice I'd imagine, I have owned a 3 series of the model you refer to but not something as mighty as a 328. The car performed great during my ownership.

Couple of things from my poor memory (so quite happy to be corrected) I seem to remember their were recognised problems with the 328 engine in the early days(manifold bolts failing or engine failure??), I can't remember what but it maybe worth doing a search.

Handling, I found the Accord excellent with an impressive chassis and great feedback through the steering wheel.

If I was being contraversial I'd suggest the 328 was for the sporty executive type whilst the Accord is for the driver who makes sacrifices in other areas.

I am now away to put my flamesuit.

camk

Anti BMW bias is amazing , truthfully how many of the detractors have actually owned one, that for me would be an interesting survey. However for many I'm sure its an image thing and they see themselves as being non-confromist ...Tooting Popular Front members

tiggers

Tick tock tick tock - same old **** every time a BMW is mentioned on here!!

tiggers.

Skittles

Yeah, usually by you mate ;-)

tiggers

Nah! I'm resisting, even though as the owner of a Honda Type R you can probably guess which camp I'm in

tiggers.

JockyTT

Worth considering is that any M52 engine up to Mar 98 could be suceptible to premature bore wear leading to ultimate engine failure. I had this on mine at 42k miles but pressed BMW GB and got a full replacement and rebuild FOC.

Check that any that you buy has this done.

Otherwise - beautiful car, I miss mine....

Adam sage

Accord Type R,

1) Honda
2) Type R
3) v-tech

nuff said..............

Riprock

Although your best of getting one of those V-TEC ATR`s.Leave the V-TECH`s to the kiddies

Spudgun VI

ive got an e36 328 coupe auto at the moment (my evo goes today). i have to say my green beema has been a joy to own. more than fast enough, discreet, totally reliable, not too thirsty, and totally honestly, fun to drive. in fact, after this car im buying nothing but auto's from now on (well, smg has a crude auto mode, so thats ok). it just makes life so much easier, and when you kickdown, its a bit like a turbo kicking in

i would thoroughly recommend a 328 to anyone. if i had to have one car for all occasions and didnt want to spend a fortune, id quite happily settle for this car.
as for an accord type r? dunno, never driven one, as i saw no point. if i want big winged jap car, i might aswell have a scooby or evo, not a huge fan of fwd.